Natural & engineered optical materials

We use world-leading design and fabrication techniques to create optical waveguides and thin films, nano-powders, and structures that mimic the optical performance of those ‘developed’ in nature as an evolutionary solution to challenges posed by the environment – biomimetic materials.
The interaction of these optical structures with light gives us insight not just into fundamental optical physics but also into novel ways in which these structures might be used. The range of applications is wide and diverse, from optical communications to the detection of single molecules. This fundamental
knowledge enables us to engineer these optical materials for specific applications. Projects under this Banner that we are presently investigating include: